DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This was a prospective, controlled, nonrandomised trial of patients undergoing prostatectomy in 14 centres using RALP or RRP. Clinical-record forms and validated patient questionnaires at baseline and 12 mo after surgery were collected.

OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSES: Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated with logistic regression and adjusted for possible confounders. The primary end point was urinary incontinence (change of pad less than once in 24h vs one time or more per 24h) at 12 mo. Secondary end points were erectile dysfunction at 12 mo and positive surgical margins.

RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Of 2625 eligible men, 2431 (93%) could be evaluated for the primary end point. At 12 mo after RALP, 366 men (21.3%) were incontinent, as were 144 (20.2%) after RRP. The adjusted OR was 1.08 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.87-1.34). Erectile dysfunction was observed in 1200 men (70.4%) 12 mo after RALP and 531 (74.7%) after RRP. The adjusted OR was 0.81 (95% CI, 0.66-0.98). The frequency of positive surgical margins did not differ significantly between groups: 21.8% in the RALP group and 20.9% in the RRP group (adjusted OR: 1.09; 95% CI, 0.87-1.35). The nonrandomised design is a limitation.

CONCLUSIONS: In a Swedish setting, RALP for prostate cancer was modestly beneficial in preserving erectile function compared with RRP, without a statistically significant difference regarding urinary incontinence or surgical margins.

PATIENT SUMMARY: We compared patient-reported urinary incontinence after prostatectomy with two types of surgical technique. There was no statistically significant improvement in the rate of urinary leakage, but there was a small improvement regarding erectile function after robot-assisted operation.

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